Bryant getting way too much undeserved criticism

The vultures are circling.

Flapping their wings, trolling overhead, with a minimum of effort ... looking for carrion.

And guess who they are picking on?

If your answer is Kobe Bryant, you are more than correct.

Since the Los Angeles Lakers recently endured a three-game losing streak, there has been a lot of criticism of Kobe.

Undeserved criticism ... by the way.

Last Thursday, the Lakers lost at Miami 114-111 when a last-second trey attempt by Bryant failed to fall. Last Friday, the Phil Jackson-led team lost at Charlotte 98-83. And then on Sunday, L.A. dropped a 96-94 decision at Orlando when a 20-footer by Kobe was off the mark at the buzzer.

Now, the Kobe bashers and naysayers will mistakenly point out that Bryant missed the final attempt in the two close losses. Hey, who would you rather have taking the last shot — Ron Artest? Or maybe Josh Powell?

The key to the three losses — the first time the Lakers had suffered three successive defeats since January of 2008 — is the fact that ALL THREE defeats occurred on the road. And it is tough to win on the road in the National Basketball Association.

Before Chicago hosted the Utah Jazz on Tuesday, the Bulls had a 31-31 record. Chicago was 19-12 at the Stadium and 12-19 on enemy pine. L.A. was 29-5 with Jack Nicholson at courtside with the Lakers being just 17-13 on the road. There are only eight NBA teams with more than a .500 record on the road this season.

So, to blame Kobe for the losses?

Idiotic.

Think Kobe wouldn't look very nice in the Chicago uniform.

Yes, I know. Bryant gets accused of hogging the ball too much. Of shooting the ball a little much.

But ... to me ... that is just jealousy.

It would be like Derrick Rose deferring to Brad Miller as time was winding down for the Bulls. Either handling the ball or getting it into the hands of the scorers.

You want the key player involved in the key plays late in the game. As much as you can.